Another example of why Republicans can’t maintain a sense of respectability came last week when Paul Ryan, chair of the House Budget Committee, walked back his statements regarding the culture of poverty that exists in the inner city.

Speaking on Bill Bennett’s show “Morning in America,” Ryansaid- among other things- that there is a “tailspin of culture, in our inner cities in particular, of men not working and just generations of men not even thinking about working or learning the value of work.” He was right.

The Congressional Black Caucus claimed Ryan’s statement was “highly offensive.” How the truth is offensive is anyone’s guess. Everyone with eyes can point to any inner city in the country and clearly see the chaos and dysfunction that permeates it.

And of course, black Democrats couldn’t pass up another chance to embarrass themselves and prove again why no one takes blacks who vote Democrat- or black Democrat politicians- seriously.

Barbara Lee (D-CA) called Ryan’s statements a “thinly veiled racist attack” and added, “Let’s be clear, when Mr. Ryan says ‘inner city,’ when he says, ‘culture,’ these are simply code words for what he really means: ‘black.’”

So?

Aside from whites and Latinos who also live in the inner city, whether Ryan meant “black” or not isn’t important because it’s not a racial issue. But the merits of what he said are undeniably true.

More importantly, it’s NO coincidence that these same inner cities, which have been run and ruined by progressive politicians and suffer from a culture of moral, spiritual, and economic poverty, are all under the political auspices of the Congressional Black Caucus. So in essence, Paul Ryan was indirectly calling the Congressional Black Clowns out on their lack of political leadership and influence upon the districts they represent. That’s one reason why the CBC is calling Paul Ryan racist. The CBC wants to deflect attention away from their contributions to this problem, which directly indicts their perpetual failures as political leaders.

But even more troubling is that Ryan- who went through the trouble of drafting a 200-pg report on the federal government’s fifty-year failure on the “War on Poverty” that details how welfare programs trap beneficiaries in poverty- is now apologizing for what he said, claiming his statements were “inarticulate.” Ryan has also agreed to meet with the CBC, which means he’s volunteered to grovel as penance, hoping for absolution.

This is nothing more than another public example of black power (black grievance) leveraged with the manipulation of white guilt.

Sadly, in post-modern America, the truth is now referred to as “inarticulate.” When that truth is spoken, and people are “offended,” it’s apologized for.

With all due respect to Congressman Ryan, his retraction due to the CBC’s campaign of public intimidation shows that he’s a coward, and he typifies the essence of today’s Republican. It’s one reason why so much effort is made by conservatives to distinguish themselves from Republicans. Republicans have no courage, vigor, initiative, backbone, or testicular fortitude to speak the truth and condemn those who would seek to silence it, regardless of the issue. By acknowledging the CBC’s foolishness, Ryan gives these benefactors of affirmative action credibility in attributing his statements- and the party he represents- to racism.

Doing this also demonstrates that Ryan-and the GOP-still aren’t ready for any serious and meaningful outreach to poor and minority communities in an effort to expand their base and appeal.

Ryan shouldn’t be apologizing for the truth; the data and common sense affirm. What characterizes the inner cities- rightly called ghettos- is a culture of poverty that unproductive and inefficient welfare programs aid and abet. This is why everyone who can do so leaves the inner city as soon as they get the chance. This should be said over and over and over. What else do people call high rates of illegitimacy, fatherlessness, abortion, broken families, violent crime, and drug and alcohol abuse that isn’t accompanied by any moral stigma, but funded by federal and state governments? It isn’t called the American Dream; I can guarantee you that.

No one expects anything more from the CBC than the racial charade we see here; the bar really is that low- completely earned, by the way. By acknowledging their empty cries of racism, Congressman Ryan has allowed the CBC- emblematic of black Democrats and their white counterparts everywhere- to excuse the inexcusable behaviors that characterize and contribute to the culture of poverty. This is precisely why alleviating high rates of poverty in America will never happen. Democrats need poor people as a constituency so they excuse their behaviors, and Republicans are afraid of calling Democrats on it.

Paul Ryan should’ve ignored the CBC in the same manner the CBC ignores its constituents. He also should’ve doubled down on what he said on Bennett’s program, standing firm on the truth. Instead, he gave the CBC unearned credibility and proved once again that Republican leadership is just as gutless as Democrat leadership.

Is it any wonder why our country continues to proceed in the direction it is?

Comments

Why should ANYONE feel badly if you are called racist. Usually the one being called racist is the only HONEST person in the room. Let it go…if anyone calls me a racist I tell them thank you and I am damn proud of it. Don't let them victimize you for honesty. STATE AND PLACE THE FAULT RIGHT WHERE IT BELONGS…not your fault they can't handle the truth. Next !!!!